Cleaning element and cleaning tool

ABSTRACT

A cleaning element includes a fiber assembly having a plurality of fibers extending in a predetermined direction and a nonwoven fabric disposed on the fiber assembly. A first fusion bonded part extends in a cross direction crossing the predetermined direction to fusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of second fusion bonded parts formed discontinuously in the cross direction at a lateral side of the first fusion bonded part to fusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric. The first fusion bonded part extends all the way through the fiber assembly in a thickness direction of the cleaning element. The plurality of second fusion bonded parts extend only a part of said fiber assembly in the thickness direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning tool and more particularly,to a cleaning tool having a sheet-type cleaning element for cleaning aface to be cleaned inside a room or a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of cleaning tools with a sheet-type cleaning element areknown for wiping an object to be cleaned. For example, Japanesenon-examined laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-154791 discloses acleaning tool having cleaning fabric and a holder that detachably holdsthe cleaning fabric inserted into a holding region of the cleaningfabric. While the known cleaning tool is capable of wiping a face to becleaned by using the cleaning fabric held via the holder, it is requiredto provide a further effective technique for enhancing cleaning effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideeffective technique for a higher cleaning effect and higher operabilityof a cleaning element.

The above-described object is achieved by claimed invention. As oneaspect of the invention, a cleaning element is provided which may beapplied to faces to be cleaned such as floors, walls, ceilings, externalwalls, furniture, clothes, curtains, bedding, home electric appliancesand so on inside and outside of houses, apartments, buildings,factories, vehicles, etc. These faces to be cleaned may be either flator curved, uneven or stepped.

The cleaning element according to this invention includes at least afiber assembly, a nonwoven fabric, a first fusion bonded part and aplurality of second fusion bonded parts.

According to the invention, the fiber assembly comprises a plurality offibers extending in a predetermined direction. Preferably, the fiberassembly may have a planar structure having a predetermined flat orcurved surface and has a three-dimensional form having a certainthickness or has a thin sheet-like form.

The “fibers” in this invention are elements of yarn, textile or the likeand defined as being thin and flexible fibers having a substantiallylonger length compared with the thickness. Typically, a long continuousfiber is defined as a filament and a short fiber as a staple.

Further, the “fiber assembly” in this invention is a single fiberstructure formed by the above-mentioned fibers, a fiber structure havingthe above-mentioned fibers aligned in the length direction and/or theradial direction (twist yarn, spun yarn, yarn to which a plurality offilaments are partially connected), or an assembly of the fiberstructures.

Typically, the fiber assembly is formed of polyethylene (PE),polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, rayon orthe like. In practical use, an assembly of filaments formed by opening atow is frequently used as the fiber assembly.

In this invention, a sheet-like nonwoven fabric is disposed on the fiberassembly. The nonwoven fabric may comprise a single nonwoven fabricsheet layer or a plurality of nonwoven fabric sheet layers having thesame or different functions and stacked in layer. The “nonwoven fabric”in this invention has a sheet-like configuration formed by fixing orentangling fibers by mechanical, chemical or heat treatment. Typically,the nonwoven fabric partly includes thermal melting fibers(thermoplastic fibers) and thus can be fusion bonded.

The first fusion bonded part of this invention extends in a directioncrossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiberassembly and the nonwoven fabric. It is essential for the first fusionbonded part in this invention to extend in a direction crossing thepredetermined direction. Therefore, the configuration of the firstfusion bonded part may include a configuration having a continuouslylinearly extending bonded portion and a configuration having adiscontinuously extending bonded portion.

The plurality of the second fusion bonded parts are formeddiscontinuously in a direction crossing the predetermined direction inorder to fusion bond the fiber assembly. It is essential for the secondfusion bonded parts in this invention to be formed discontinuously in adirection crossing the predetermined direction. Therefore, theconfiguration of the second fusion bonded parts may include aconfiguration having a plurality of bonded portions aligned on the sameline and a configuration having a plurality of bonded portions notaligned on the same line.

A distance between adjacent ones of the second fusion bonded parts whichare provided in the middle of the cleaning element in the directioncrossing the predetermined direction is longer than a length of unbondedportions that are formed on both sides of the pair adjacent secondfusion bonded parts. In a construction in which two additional secondfusion bonded parts are provided on the both sides of the pair adjacentsecond fusion bonded parts, the “unbonded portions” may be defined asthe regions between the adjacent second fusion bonded parts and theadditional second fusion bonded parts. Further, in a construction inwhich no additional second fusion bonded parts are provided on the bothsides of the pair adjacent second fusion bonded parts, the “unbondedportions” here are defined as the regions between the adjacent secondfusion bonded parts and the ends of the cleaning element.

Fibers between the adjacent second fusion bonded parts provided in themiddle of the cleaning element serve as a main cleaning part fortrapping dust, and fibers of the unbonded portion formed on both sidesof the pair adjacent second fusion bonded parts serve as an auxiliarycleaning part for trapping dust. Further, in this invention, one or morepairs of the adjacent second fusion bonded parts may be provided in themiddle (a region covering the central portion and an area on its bothsides) of the cleaning element in the direction crossing thepredetermined direction.

Further, in this invention, the fiber assembly includes a first fiberextending part and a second fiber extending part. The first fiberextending part has fibers which extend from one end fixed at the firstfusion bonded part to the other free end on the end of the cleaningelement in the predetermined direction. The second fiber extending parthas fibers which extend from one end fixed at the second fusion bondedparts to the other free end on the end of the cleaning element in thepredetermined direction. The first fusion bonded part and the secondfusion bonded parts are located such that a fiber extending length ofthe second fiber extending part is shorter than a fiber extending lengthof the first fiber extending part.

With such construction of the cleaning element according to thisinvention, fibers joined to the sheet-type nonwoven fabric form ahorizontal section having a relatively high bond strength between thefirst fusion bonded part and the second fusion bonded parts. Further,with the construction having this horizontal section, the cleaningelement can easily conform to a horizontal face to be cleaned, duringcleaning operation. Thus, this construction is effective in enhancingthe cleaning effect.

Further, according to this invention, when the cleaning element islightly shaken or broken up into pieces by the user such that air istaken into the fiber assembly, fibers of the first fiber extending partwhich have a relatively long length in the fiber assembly are easilyentangled with each other and depend downward.

On the other hand, fibers of the second fiber extending part which havea relatively short length in the fiber assembly are not easily entangledwith the first fiber extending part. Therefore, when air is taken intothe fiber assembly, the fiber assembly is held homogeneous with alimited amount of unnecessary voids, and the fiber assembly is whollydensely spread. Thus the volume of the fiber assembly is increased. Thisstate in which the fibers have a high density and are homogeneous can bedefined as providing a high voluminous feeling, and also referred to asa “bulky state”, “volume increased state”, “high space-fullness state”or “bulk-up state”. Therefore, the cleaning effect can be enhanced byincreasing the volume of the fiber assembly. Further, due to the volumeincrease, the fiber assembly makes closer contact with a face to becleaned. Therefore, dirt of the fiber assembly stands out (the fiberassembly is easily blackened), so that the user can realize that dust isreliably trapped and thus can get a higher level of satisfaction.

Further, in this invention, a distance between the two second fusionbonded parts between which the main cleaning part for trapping dust isprovided is longer than a length of the unbonded portion in which theauxiliary cleaning part for trapping dust is provided. Therefore, themain cleaning part is the bulkiest in the fiber assembly and is formedin the middle of the cleaning element in a direction crossing thepredetermined direction.

Typically, in cleaning operation, the cleaning element is used with itsfront end side lowered than its rear end side. Therefore, theconstruction in which the bulkiest main cleaning part of the fiberassembly is formed in the middle of the cleaning element like in thisinvention has an effect that the fiber assembly easily acts upon theface to be cleaned.

Further, in the cleaning element according to this invention, the twoadjacent second fusion bonded parts provided in the middle of thecleaning element are arranged such that a distance between one of thesecond fusion bonded parts and one end of the cleaning element is equalto a distance between the other of the second fusion bonded parts andthe other end of the cleaning element in a direction crossing thepredetermined direction.

With this construction of the cleaning element, if the user turns aroundthe cleaning element in use, the bulkiest main cleaning part of thefiber assembly is always located in the middle of the fiber assembly, sothat the user can use the cleaning element without feeling odd, justlike before the orientation change.

Further, in the cleaning element according to this invention, the firstfusion bonded part is located such that fibers of the first fiberextending part have the same extending length, and the second fusionbonded parts are located such that fibers of the second fiber extendingpart have the same extending length.

Such construction of the cleaning element is effective in arranging andstabilizing the shape of the fiber assembly when air is contained in thefiber assembly.

Further, in the cleaning element according to this invention, the firstfusion bonded part extends in a direction crossing the predetermineddirection in the middle of the cleaning element in the predetermineddirection. Further, the second fusion bonded parts are formeddiscontinuously in a direction crossing the predetermined direction onthe both sides of the first fusion bonded part.

With this construction of the cleaning element, the fiber assembly canhave a shape well-balanced between the right and left portions on theboth sides of the first fusion bonded part when air is contained in thefiber assembly.

A cleaning tool according to this invention includes at least theabove-described cleaning element and a cleaning element holder. Thecleaning element holder in this invention has a grip to be held by auser in a cleaning operation and a holding portion for holding thecleaning element, and the grip and the holding portion are coupled toeach other. The holding portion of the cleaning element holder isremovably attached to the cleaning element. In the attached state of thecleaning element holder, the holding portion of the cleaning elementholder holds the cleaning element. A user holds the grip of the cleaningelement holder to perform a cleaning operation. Further, the user canreplace the cleaning element by removing the cleaning element from theholding portion of the cleaning element holder as necessary.

With such construction, a cleaning tool with a cleaning element having ahigher cleaning effect can be provided. Further, various constructionsmay be applied to attach the cleaning element holder to the cleaningelement. Typically, it may be constructed such that a protrudingcleaning element holding portion is inserted into the holding space ofthe cleaning element.

Further, the cleaning element attached to the holding portion of thecleaning element holder according to this invention may be of disposabletype designed for single use, disposable type designed for multiple usewhich can be used several times, while retaining dust which has beenremoved from the face to be cleaned, on a brush portion, or reusabletype which can be reused by washing.

As described above, according to this invention, in a sheet-typecleaning element for wiping an object to be cleaned, particularly, acleaning effect can be enhanced by providing improved configurations ofthe fusion bonded parts for fusion bonding the fiber assembly and thenonwoven fabric which form the cleaning element.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily understood after reading the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning tool 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention, in a disassembled state into acleaning element 110 and a cleaning element holder 120.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning element holder 120 of FIG.1 in a disassembled state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning element 110 of FIG. 1 whichis shown separated into component elements.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cleaning element 110 shown in FIG. 1, asviewed from the top.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cleaning element 110 shown in FIG. 1, asviewed from the back.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cleaning element 110, taken along lineA-A in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the cleaning element 110, taken along lineB-B in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the manner of attaching thecleaning element 110 to the cleaning element holder 120 in thisembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the manner of attaching thecleaning element 110 to the cleaning element holder 120 in thisembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cleaning element 110 shown inFIG. 9 and broken up into pieces.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 210 according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 220 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 230 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 240 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 250 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 260 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 270 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 280 according to adifferent embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a cleaning element 290 according to adifferent embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Each of the additional features and method steps disclosed above andbelow may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other featuresand method steps to provide and manufacture improved cleaning elementsand cleaning tools and method for using such cleaning elements andcleaning tools, as well as devices utilized therein. Representativeexamples of the present invention, which examples utilized many of theseadditional features and method steps in conjunction, will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. This detaileddescription is merely intended to teach a person skilled in the artfurther details for practicing preferred aspects of the presentteachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Onlythe claims define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore,combinations of features and steps disclosed within the followingdetailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention inthe broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularlydescribe some representative examples of the invention, which detaileddescription will now be given with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

A representative embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of acleaning tool 100 according to this embodiment will now be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Objects to be cleaned with the cleaningtool 100 includes faces to be cleaned (floors, walls, windows, ceilings,external walls, furniture, clothes, curtains, bedding, lighting, homeelectric appliances, etc.) inside and outside of houses, apartments,buildings, factories, vehicles, etc. and faces of human body parts to becleaned. These faces to be cleaned may be either flat curved, uneven orstepped.

FIG. 1 shows the cleaning tool 100 according to this embodiment inperspective view, in a state disassembled into a cleaning element 110and a cleaning element holder 120. As shown, the cleaning tool 100comprises the cleaning element 110 and the cleaning element holder 120.

The cleaning element 110 includes a cleaning element body 111 and aholding sheet 112 disposed on and joined to the upper face of thecleaning element body 111. The cleaning element 110 comprises asheet-type cleaning element having a function of removing dirt on theface to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning element 110 isrectangular in plan view and elongate in a predetermined longitudinaldirection (the direction of the length). This predetermined longitudinaldirection generally corresponds to the direction crossing the directionin which the plurality of fibers forming the fiber assembly extend. Thecleaning element 110 may also be formed into a square shape in plan viewas necessary.

The cleaning element body 111 forming the cleaning element 110 includesa base sheet 111 a, a fiber assembly 111 b and a cleaning side sheet 111c laminated and joined together, which will be described in more detailbelow. All of the base sheet 111 a, the fiber assembly 111 b and thecleaning side sheet 111 c are of sheet type, similarly rectangular inplan view and elongate in the longitudinal direction of the cleaningelement 110. The fiber assembly 111 b and the cleaning side sheet 111 cform a brush-like part having a dirt removing function, which is alsoreferred to as the “brush portion”. The cleaning element 110 may be ofdisposable type designed for single use, disposable type designed formultiple use which can be used several times, while retaining dust whichhas been removed from the face to be cleaned, on the brush portion, orreusable type which can be reused by washing. Further, in thisembodiment, the cleaning element body 111 of the cleaning element 110 isdescribed as a structure having the base sheet 111 a, the fiber assembly111 b and the cleaning side sheet 111 c stacked in layer, but may beconstructed as a structure having an additional fiber layer and/orsheet.

The cleaning element body 111 and the holding sheet 112 are fusionbonded together at a central joining line 113 extending in the middle ofthe cleaning element 110 in its longitudinal direction and at fusionbonded parts 114, 116 disposed on the both sides of the central joiningline 113.

The central joining line 113 is designed as a fusion bonded part atwhich the cleaning element body 111 and the holding sheet 112 are joinedtogether. The central joining line 113 extends in the longitudinaldirection through the middle of the cleaning element 110 and is afeature that corresponds to the “first fusion bonded part extending in adirection crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bondthe fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric” in this invention.

Further, the fusion bonded parts 114, 116 are designed as fusion bondedparts at which the base sheet 111 a and part of the fiber assembly 111 bof the cleaning element body 111 and the holding sheet 112 are joinedtogether. The fusion bonded parts 114 correspond to the “plurality ofsecond fusion bonded parts formed discontinuously in a directioncrossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiberassembly and the nonwoven fabric” in this invention.

Thus, a pair of right and left holding spaces 115 extending in thelongitudinal direction are defined between the central joining line 113and the fusion bonded parts 114, 116. Each of the holding spaces 115 hasa rear open end 115 a and a front open end 115 b. A holding plate 132 ofa holder body 130 which will be described below can be inserted into theholding space 115 from both the rear open end 115 a and the front openend 115 b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning element 110 having the above-describedstructure is removably attached to the cleaning element holder 120. Thecleaning element holder 120 includes the holder body 130 and the handle140 connected to each other. The handle 140 includes a longitudinallyextending handle body 141 and a connection 141 a disposed between thehandle body 141 and the holder body 130. The handle body 141 is held bya user and is a feature that corresponds to the “grip” in thisinvention. The handle body 141 and the holder body 130 are fixedlyconnected at the connection 141 a.

In this embodiment, the holder body 130 and the handle 140 (the handlebody 141 and the connection 141 a) are separately molded of resinmaterial and thereafter assembled together. With this construction, theentire cleaning tool can be reduced in weight and the manufacturingcosts can be reduced. Instead of this construction, the holder body 130and the handle 140 (the handle body 141 and the connection 141 a) may beintegrally molded, or two of the holder body 130, the handle body 141and the connection 141 a may be integrally molded, or all of them may beseparately molded and then fixedly assembled together.

The holder body 130 has a function of detachably holding the cleaningelement 110 and is a feature that corresponds to the “cleaning elementholding portion” in this invention. The holder body 130 includes a base131 on the handle 140 side, a pair of holding plates 132 and a retainingplate 134. The holding plates 132 extend forward in the longitudinaldirection from the base 131 and parallel with a predetermined spacingtherebetween. In other words, the holder body 130 has a bifurcated form.Each of the holding plates 132 may have a constant width in thelongitudinal direction or be tapered.

Further, two projections 133 are formed on the front and rear portionsof the outer edge of each of the holding plates 132. Each of theprojections 133 has an elliptic contour projecting outward from theholding plate 132 and has a convexly curved projecting surface. Forexample, the projection 133 has an elliptic contour having a 180°circular arc angle, a 16 mm major axis and a 8 mm minor axis. Further,an opening or hollow portion 133 a is formed in the central portion ofthe projection 133. The retaining plate 134 extends forward between thepair holding plates 132 and is convexly curved downward. The retainingplate 134 further has an engagement lug (not shown) on the underside.

The holding plate 132 can be inserted into the associated holding space115 and has a function of holding the cleaning element 110 in theinserted state. In the inserted state, the holding plate 132 is fittedin the associated holding space 115 by close sliding contact, so thatthe cleaning element 110 is securely attached to the holding plate 132.Further, in the inserted state, the retaining plate 134 presses thecleaning element 110 from above, and the engagement lug (not shown)formed on the underside of the retaining plate 134 serves as a stopperfor preventing the cleaning element 110 from coming off. Thus, in theinserted state in which the holding plate 132 is inserted into theholding space 115, the cleaning element 110 is reliably retained by theholder body 130.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning element holder 120 of FIG.1 in a disassembled state. As shown, the holder body 130 and the handle140 are separately resin molded and thereafter disengageably connectedtogether. The holder body 130 has an engagement plate 131 a on the rearend of the base 131. The handle 140 has a first engaging plate 143 and asecond engaging plate 144 on the front end of the handle body 141. Anengagement region 145 is defined between the first engaging plate 143and the second engaging plate 144 and can receive the engagement plate131 a. A projection (not shown) is provided in the engagement region 145and can be engaged with a recess 131 b of the engagement plate 131 a.Thus, when the engagement plate 131 a is inserted into the engagementregion 145, the engagement plate 131 a is sandwiched between the firstengaging plate 143 and the second engaging plate 144. Further, theprojection of the engagement region 145 is engaged with the recess 131 bof the engagement plate 131 a. Thus, the holder body 130 and the handle140 are joined together by a joining force acting therebetween. In thisstate, the holder body 130 and the handle 140 can be disengaged fromeach other by pulling the holder body 130 and the handle 140 apart fromeach other by a pulling force larger than the joining force.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, the structure of the cleaning element 110 ofthis embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview of the cleaning element 110 of FIG. 1 which is shown separated intocomponent elements. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cleaning element 110shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the top. FIG. 5 is a plan view of thecleaning element 110 shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the back. FIG. 6 isa sectional view of the cleaning element 110, taken along line A-A inFIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the cleaning element 110,taken along line B-B in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the cleaning element 110 of this embodiment, theholding sheet 112 is overlaid on the cleaning element body 111 on thecleaning side (which is also referred to as the “lower face side” or the“back”). Further, the cleaning element body 111 has the cleaning sidesheet 111 c, the fiber assembly 111 b and the base sheet 111 a placedone on the other in this order from the cleaning side (lower face side).In this case, the holding sheet 112 and the base sheet 111 a areoverlaid on the upper face side of the fiber assembly 111 b to form anupper face side sheet. Thus, the fiber assembly 111 b is sandwichedbetween the holding sheet 112 and base sheet 111 a (upper face sidesheet) and the cleaning side sheet 111 c (lower face side sheet). Theholding sheet 112, the base sheet 111 a and the cleaning side sheet 111c have a plurality of zigzag strips (strip portions) extending in adirection crossing the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element110.

Specifically, the holding sheet 112 comprises a plurality of strips 112a arranged in parallel and extending in a direction crossing thelongitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110. The base sheet 111 acomprises a plurality of strips 111 d arranged in parallel and extendingin a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the cleaningelement 110. The cleaning side sheet 111 c comprises a plurality ofstrips 111 e arranged in parallel and extending in a direction crossingthe longitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110. The zigzagstrips of the sheets provides a structure to easily trap dust. Thestrips may have the same kind or different kinds of shape appropriatelyselected from various shapes, such as zigzag, linear and curved shapes.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the base sheet 111 a, the strips 111 d extendoutward from the fusion bonded parts 114, 116 formed in the longitudinaldirection of the cleaning element 110. Further, in the holding sheet 112overlaid on the upper face of the base sheet 111 a, the strips 112 ahaving the same shape as the strips 111 d extend outward from the fusionbonded parts 114, 116 formed in the longitudinal direction of thecleaning element 110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the cleaning side sheet 111 c, thestrips 111 e having a smaller width than the strips 111 d, 112 a extendoutward from the central joining line 113 extending along thelongitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110. Therefore, theproximal ends of the strips 111 e are joined at the central joining line113. Each of the strips 111 e extends elongate from one end fixed at thecentral joining line 113 to the other free end (distal end) on the sideopposite to the fixed end.

The construction of the nonwoven fabric forming the above-described basesheet 111 a, cleaning side sheet 111 c and holding sheet 112 and theconstruction of the fiber assembly 111 b will now be explained indetail.

The base sheet 111 a, the cleaning side sheet 111 c and the holdingsheet 112 can typically be formed of sheet-type nonwoven fabriccomprising thermal melting fibers (thermoplastic fibers) and thusreferred to as nonwoven fabric sheet. The base sheet 111 a and theholding sheet 112 herein form the “sheet-type nonwoven fabric” accordingto this invention. The nonwoven fabric has a sheet-like configurationformed by fixing or entangling fibers by mechanical, chemical or heattreatment.

The nonwoven fabric partly includes thermoplastic fibers and thus can befusion bonded. Further, the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of strips.Examples of the thermal melting fibers (thermoplastic fibers) includepolyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. The nonwovenfabric may be manufactured by through-air bonding, spunbonding, thermalbonding, spun lacing, point bonding, melt blowing, stitch bonding,chemical bonding, needle punching or other similar processes. In orderto enhance the dust wiping function, it is preferred to use a nonwovenfabric having higher rigidity. Further, as an alternative to or inaddition to the nonwoven fabric, a material to be worked into strips,such as urethane, sponge, woven fabric, net and split cloth, may beused.

The fiber assembly 111 b is a single fiber structure formed by fibers, afiber structure having fibers aligned in the length direction and/or theradial direction (twist yarn, spun yarn, yarn to which a plurality offilaments are partially connected), or an assembly of the fiberstructures. The fiber assembly 111 b partially includes thermoplasticfibers and can be fusion bonded. The fibers forming the fiber assembly111 b are elements of yarn, textile or the like and defined as beingthin and flexible fibers having a substantially longer length comparedwith the thickness. Typically, a long continuous fiber is defined as afilament and a short fiber as a staple.

The proximal ends of the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b are joinedat the central joining line 113 and the fusion bonded parts 114, 116.The fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b each have one end fixed at thefusion bonded parts and the other free end (distal end) on the oppositeside. The fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b extend elongate in adirection crossing the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element110 (or the fiber assembly 111 b). The fiber assembly 111 b extending ina direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element110 is a feature that corresponds to the “fiber assembly comprising aplurality of fibers extending in the predetermined direction” accordingto this embodiment. The fiber assembly 111 b is also referred to as the“fiber bundle” having a plurality of fibers in a bundle.

In the representative example shown in FIG. 3, the fiber assembly 111 bcomprises three fiber layers, but it may comprise one or more fiberlayers as necessary. Preferably, the fiber assembly 111 b has a planarstructure having a predetermined flat or curved face and has athree-dimensional form having a certain thickness or has a thinsheet-like form. The “fiber assembly” is typically formed ofpolyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),nylon, rayon or the like. In practical use, an assembly of filamentsformed by opening a tow is frequently used as the fiber assembly. It isparticularly preferable that the fiber assembly comprises conjugatedfibers having a core of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) and acore covering sheath of polyethylene (PE). Further, the filaments of thefiber assembly are preferred to have a fineness of 1 to 50 dtex, morepreferably 2 to 10 dtex. The individual fiber assembly may containfibers of generally the same fineness or of different finenesses.

Further, in order to enhance the dust wiping function, it is preferredto use a fiber assembly including fibers having higher rigidity orfibers having higher fineness. It is further preferred that the fiberassembly has crimped fibers. Here, the crimped fibers are fiberssubjected to a predetermined crimping process and easily entangled witheach other. With the fibers being crimped, the fiber assembly becomesbulkier than before the holder is attached thereto, and dust can beeasily captured by the crimped portions. This structure can be realizedespecially by using crimped fibers opened from a tow.

For the fiber assembly, flat yarns or split yarns may also be employed.The flat yarns are prepared by slitting a film into tapes and bystretching the tapes in the longitudinal direction. The split yarns areprepared by splitting a thermoplastic film resin in the directionperpendicular to the orientation direction of the resin so that the filmis fibrillated and interconnected into a net shape. Alternatively, anonwoven fabric which is bulky and has low fiber density, such as athrough-air bonded nonwoven fabric, may be employed to form the fiberassembly.

The kinds and numbers of the component parts of the cleaning element 110are not limited to those described in the above-described example, andcan be selected as necessary. The cleaning element 110 is rectangular inplan view and is attached to the cleaning element holder 120 such thatits longer side extends along the longitudinal direction of the holderbody 130 and a handle 140 of the cleaning element holder 120.

The construction of the fusion bonded parts in the cleaning element 110will now be explained in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and7. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of the fusion bonded parts 114, 116are formed on the both sides of the central joining line 113 at the samedistance therefrom and arranged along the extending direction of thecentral joining line 113. Specifically, on each of extending lines L1 onthe both sides of the central joining line 113, the fusion bonded parts116 are formed at the rear open end 115 a and the front open end 115 b,and two fusion bonded parts 114 are formed between the two fusion bondedparts 116. In this embodiment, each of the fusion bonded parts 114 has afusion bonded portion shaped into a circle (perfect circle), and each ofthe fusion bonded parts 116 has a fusion bonded portion shaped into acombined form obtained by superposing a circle (perfect circle) on anellipse and elongated in the longitudinal direction.

Each of the fusion bonded parts 114 is disposed opposite to the centraljoining line 113. A region demarcated by the fusion bonded parts 114 andthe central joining line 113 forms the holding space 115 into which theholding plate 132 of the holder body 130 is inserted. The fusion bondedpart 114 has at least a circular arc portion (curved portion) bulgedtoward the projection 133 of the inserted holding plate 132 whichprojects outward from the holding plate 132 of the holder body 130. Withthis construction, sliding resistance caused between the fusion bondedpart 114 and the projection 133 when the holding plate 132 is insertedinto the holding space 115 can be reduced. Thus, the holding plate 132can be smoothly inserted into the holding space 115. Therefore, ease ofattaching the holding plates 132 of the holder body 130 to the cleaningelement 110 can be enhanced. The fusion bonded part 114 may have acurved surface shape comprising a circular arc portion of a circle or anellipse in part or in entirety.

This effect of reducing the sliding resistance caused between the fusionbonded part 114 and the projection 133 can be further enhanced byproviding the hollow portion 133 a in the projection 133, in addition tothe bulged shape of the fusion bonded part 114 and the projection 133.Specifically, when the projection 133 slides in contact with the fusionbonded part 114, the projection 133 easily deforms toward the holdingplate 132 by the effect of the hollow portion 133 a. Thus, the effect ofreducing the sliding resistance caused between the fusion bonded part114 and the projection 133 can be enhanced. In a construction in whichthis effect can be obtained only by deformation of the holding plate 132itself or deformation of materials forming the cleaning element 110, theprojection 133 may be solid.

Further, a region demarcated by the fusion bonded part 114 and theadjacent fusion bonded part 116 forms a housing region 117 for housingthe projection 133 of the inserted holding plate 132. The fusion bondedpart 114 interferes with the projection 133 housed in the housing region117 and prevents the projection 133 from moving in the longitudinaldirection of the cleaning element 110, so that the projection 133 ispositioned in the holding space 115.

As to a specific configuration of the fusion bonded part 114 comprisinga circular arc portion, the fusion bonded part 114 is preferably 7 to 12mm in circular arc diameter and 90 to 360° in circular arc angle, andmore preferably 10 mm in circular arc diameter and 180° in circular arcangle.

By forming the fusion bonded part 114 having the above-mentionedcircular arc diameter, the projection 133 can smoothly climb over thefusion bonded part 114 when the holding plate 132 of the holder body 130is inserted. Further, after insertion, the projection 133 once receivedin the housing region 117 does not easily come off. If the circular arcdiameter of the fusion bonded part 114 is too small, the projection 133will rapidly deform when it climbs over the fusion bonded part 114, sothat smoothness cannot be obtained in the climbing movement. On theother hand, if the circular arc diameter is too large, the projection133 once received in the housing region 117 will not be stabilized (notfit well) and easily come off the housing region 117.

Further, by forming the fusion bonded part 114 having theabove-mentioned circular arc angle, the direction of insertion of theholding plate 132 of the holder body 130 can be stabilized. Further, thedegree of difficulty in forming the fusion bonded part 114 by using aconventional thermal welding machine can be lowered, and the appearanceof the fusion bonded parts can be improved. If the circular arc angle ofthe fusion bonded part 114 is too small, the fusion bonded part 114 willnot be reliably engaged with the projection 133 and the direction ofinsertion of the holding plate 132 is not easily stabilized. Further,defective bonding is easily caused due to the smaller bonding area.Further, in terms of the appearance, in some cases, fusion bonded partshaving a circular arc angle 180° or 360° is preferred in terms of thedesign.

As shown in FIG. 6, the central joining line 113 is designed to join thefiber assembly 111 b in entirety in the direction of the thickness,while the fusion bonded parts 114 are designed to join the fiberassembly 111 b only in part in the direction of the thickness. With thisconstruction, the fiber assembly 111 b is divided into upper fibers 118and lower fibers 119 by a dividing line L2 in the direction of thethickness. The fusion bonded parts 114 may be designed to join the fiberassembly 111 b in entirety in the direction of the thickness, asnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper fibers 118 have a firstfiber extending part 118 a and a second fiber extending part 118 b. Theproximal end of the first fiber extending part 118 a is joined at thecentral joining line 113. The first fiber extending part 118 a extendselongate from one end fixed at the central joining line 113 to the otherfree end (distal end) on the side opposite to the fixed end.Specifically, no fusion bonded part exists between the fixed end and thefree end of the first fiber extending part 118 a. Further, the secondfiber extending part 118 b extends elongate from one end fixed at thefusion bonded part 114 to the other free end (distal end) on the sideopposite to the fixed end. Specifically, no fusion bonded part existsbetween the fixed end and the free end of the second fiber extendingpart 118 b.

Further, in this embodiment, the central joining line 113 extendsparallel to the long sides of the cleaning element through the middle ofthe cleaning element. Thus, the fibers of the first fiber extending part118 a have the same extending length. Further, the fusion bonded parts114, 116 are formed on the both sides of the central joining line 113 atthe same distance therefrom and arranged along the extending directionof the central joining line 113. Thus, the fibers of the second fiberextending part 118 b have the same extending length. Such constructionis effective in arranging and stabilizing the shape of the fiberassembly when air is contained in the fiber assembly. Particularly, thefiber assembly 111 b can have a shape well-balanced between the rightand left portions on the both sides of the central joining line 113. Thebonded portion of the central joining line 113 may continuously linearlyextend or discontinuously extend. Further, the bonded portions of thefusion bonded parts 114, 116 may extend along a predetermined line oralong a predetermined curve.

The first fiber extending part 118 a is a feature that corresponds tothe “first fiber extending part having fibers which extend from one endfixed at the first fusion bonded part to the other free end on the endof the cleaning element in the predetermined direction” according tothis invention. The second fiber extending part 118 b is a feature thatcorresponds to the “second fiber extending part having fibers whichextend from one end fixed at the second fusion bonded parts to the otherfree end on the end of the cleaning element in the predetermineddirection” according to this invention.

The proximal ends of the lower fibers 119 are joined at the centraljoining line 113, and each of the lower fibers 119 extends elongate fromone end fixed at the central joining line 113 to the other free end(distal end) on the side opposite to the fixed end. Specifically, nofusion bonded part exists between the fixed ends and the free ends ofthe lower fibers 119. Therefore, an extending length d5 of the firstfiber extending part 118 a of the upper fibers 118 and the extendinglength d5 of the lower fibers 119 are longer than an extending length d4of the second extending part 118 b.

With this construction of the cleaning element 110 of this embodiment,fibers joined to the base sheet 111 a and the holding sheet 112 at thecentral joining line 113 and the fusion bonded part 114 form ahorizontal section having a relatively high bond strength between thecentral joining line 113 and the fusion bonded parts 114. Thisconstruction is effective in obtaining a high bond strength which cannotbe obtained by joining only the base sheet 111 a and the holding sheet112. Further, with this construction in which the horizontal section isformed between the central joining line 113 and the fusion bonded parts114, the cleaning element 110 can easily conform to a horizontal face tobe cleaned, during cleaning operation. Thus, this construction iseffective in enhancing the cleaning effect.

Further, when the cleaning element 110 is lightly shaken or broken upinto pieces directly by user's hand such that air is taken into thefiber assembly 111 b, fibers of the first fiber extending part 118 awhich have a relatively long length in the fiber assembly 111 b areeasily entangled with each other and depend downward. On the other hand,fibers of the second fiber extending part 118 b which have a relativelyshort length in the fiber assembly 111 b are not easily entangled withthe first fiber extending part 118 a. Therefore, when air is taken intothe fiber assembly 111 b, the fiber assembly 111 b is held homogeneouswith a limited amount of unnecessary voids, and the fiber assembly 111 bis wholly densely spread. Thus the volume of the fiber assembly 111 b isincreased.

This state in which the fibers have a high density and are homogeneouscan be defined as providing a high voluminous feeling, and also referredto as a “bulky state”, “volume increased state”, “high space-fullnessstate” or “bulk-up state”. Therefore, the cleaning effect can beenhanced by increasing the volume of the fiber assembly 111 b. Further,due to the volume increase, the fiber assembly 111 b makes closercontact with a face to be cleaned. Therefore, dirt of the fiber assembly111 b stands out (the fiber assembly 111 b is easily blackened), so thatthe user can get a higher level of satisfaction, realizing that dust isreliably trapped.

Particularly, in this embodiment, a distance d2 between the adjacentfusion bonded parts 114 disposed in the middle of the cleaning elementin the longitudinal direction is longer than a distance d2 between thefront fusion bonded parts 114 and 116 and a distance d3 between the rearfusion bonded parts 114 and 116. Fibers of the unbonded portion betweenthe fusion bonded parts 114 serve as a main cleaning part (a maincleaning part 111 f which is shown in FIG. 10 and will be describedbelow) for trapping dust.

Fibers of the unbonded portion between the fusion bonded part 114 andthe fusion bonded part 116, and fibers of the unbonded portion betweenthe fusion bonded part 116 and the cleaning element end serve as anauxiliary cleaning part (an auxiliary cleaning part 111 g which is shownin FIG. 10 and will be described below) for trapping dust. Therefore,according to this embodiment, the main cleaning part is the bulkiest inthe fiber assembly 111 b and is formed in the middle of the cleaningelement between the two fusion bonded parts 114 in the longitudinaldirection. Typically, in cleaning operation, the cleaning element 110 isused with its front end side lowered than its rear end side. Therefore,the construction in which the bulkiest main cleaning part of the fiberassembly 111 b is formed in the middle of the cleaning element like inthis embodiment has an effect that the fiber assembly 111 b easily actsupon the face to be cleaned.

Further, in this embodiment, preferably, the distance between the frontfusion bonded part 114 and the front end of the cleaning element 110 isequal to the distance between the rear fusion bonded part 114 and therear end of the cleaning element 110. With this construction, whetherthe holding plate 132 of the holder body 140 is inserted from the rearopen end 115 a or the front open end 115 b, the bulkiest main cleaningpart of the fiber assembly 111 b is always located in a predeterminedmiddle position of the fiber assembly 111 b. Therefore, if the userturns around the cleaning element 110 in use, the user can use thecleaning element 110 without strange feeling, just like before thechange of orientation of the cleaning element 110.

The fusion bonded parts 116 are formed at the rear open end 115 a andthe front open end 115 b and provide a function of guiding the holdingplate 132 of the holder body 130 to be smoothly inserted into theholding space 115. Therefore, the fusion bonded parts 116 extend in thelongitudinal direction and preferably includes a linear portionextending linearly in the longitudinal direction toward the holdingspace 115. In this manner, when the holding plate 132 of the holder body130 is inserted into the holding space 115, the holding plate 132 can bemore smoothly guided into the holding space 115.

As to a specific configuration of the fusion bonded part 116, the fusionbonded part 116 is preferably 10 to 17 mm or more preferably 15 mm, inextending length in the longitudinal direction. By forming the fusionbonded part 116 having such an extending length, the operation ofinserting the holding plate 132 of the holder body 130 can bestabilized. Further, the area of insertion of the holding plate 132 canbe easily recognized, and the degree of difficulty in forming the fusionbonded part 116 by using a conventional thermal welding machine can belowered. If the extending length of the fusion bonded part 116 is tooshort, the operation of inserting the holding plate 132 cannot bestabilized and the area of insertion of the holding plate 132 cannot beeasily recognized. Further, if the fusion bonded part 116 is formed at aposition displaced from a specified joining position, the fiber assembly11 b, the base sheet 111 a and the holding sheet 112 cannot be reliablyjoined together.

Usage of the cleaning tool 100 having the above-described constructionwill now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIGS. 8 and 9 areperspective views showing the manner of attaching the cleaning element110 to the cleaning element holder 120 in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is aperspective view showing the cleaning element 110 shown in FIG. 9 andbroken up into pieces.

In order to use the cleaning tool 100, as shown in FIG. 8, the holdingplates 132 of the holder body 130 are inserted from the rear open end115 a of the holding space 115, so that the cleaning element 110 isattached to the cleaning element holder 120. With the construction ofthis embodiment in which the holding space 115 has the rear open end 115a and the front open end 115 b, the holding plate 132 of the holder body130 can be inserted from the front open end 115 b of the holding space115, as necessary, so that the cleaning element 110 can also be attachedto the cleaning element holder 120 in the inverted position.

In order to attach the cleaning element 110 to the cleaning elementholder 120, first, the front ends of the holding plates 132 are insertedinto the holding space 115. At this time, the front projection 133 ofeach of the holding plates 132 is engaged with the inner edge portion ofthe fusion bonded part 116. Thus, the holding plate 132 is positionedwith respect to the holding space 115. In this embodiment, the fusionbonded part 116 has components extending in the longitudinal direction.Therefore, the direction of movement of the holding plate 132 can benaturally fixed on a line even if the user does not care about it, andthe holding plate 132 can be smoothly guided forward in the holdingspace 115.

Further, when the holding plate 132 is inserted into the holding space115, the front projection 133 climbs over the circular arc portion ofthe rear fusion bonded part 114 and then over the circular arc portionof the front fusion bonded part 114. At this time, each time the frontprojection 133 climbs over the circular arc portions of the fusionbonded parts 114, the holding plate 132 and the projection 133 itselfrepeat inward deformation and reversion (recovery). Thus, the resistanceacted upon the user continuously changes. The user feels such change ofthe resistance as movement of the holding plates 132 a which movestoward and away from each other. Therefore, it is effective in providingthe user with peace of mind that the cleaning element holder 120 isreliably attached to the cleaning element 110 and seems not to easilycome off.

When the front and rear projections 133 are received in the respectivehousing regions 117, the base 131 of the holder body 130 interferes withthe rear open end 115 a, so that the holder body 130 is prevented fromfurther moving forward. In this state, the cleaning element holder 120is attached to the cleaning element 110. In this attached state, thefusion bonded parts 114, 116 on the both sides of the projections 133prevent the projections 133 from moving. Thus, the cleaning element 110is prevented from coming off the cleaning element holder 120 just bylightly shaking the cleaning element holder 120.

In this manner, the cleaning tool 100 is provided in the state shown inFIG. 9. In this state, the thickness of the cleaning element 110 is keptto a minimum. Further, the cleaning side sheet 111 c facing the face tobe cleaned is held separated from the fiber assembly 111 b, so that itcannot perform a desired cleaning function. In order to obtain a desiredcleaning function, preferably, the cleaning element 110 is lightlyshaken or broken up into pieces directly by hand, or lightly shaken withthe cleaning element holder 120 held by hand, such that air is takeninto the fiber assembly 111 b and the fiber assembly 111 b expandsthree-dimensionally.

By such breaking-up or shaking of the cleaning element 110, the fibersof the fiber assembly 111 b are mixed with the strips 111 e of thecleaning side sheet 111 c. Upon swinging movement of the strips 111 eabout the fixed ends or the central fusion-bonding line 113, the outerfree ends of the strips 111 e depend downward under the own weight. Atthis time, the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b depend downward aroundthe bonded portion of the central fusion-bonding line 113 together withthe strips 111 e of the cleaning side sheet 111 c. Thus, containing airin the fiber bundle 111 b, the cleaning element 110 is made bulkier thanbefore the cleaning element holder 120 is attached. Specifically, insynchronization with the swinging movement of the strips 111 e of thecleaning side sheet 111 c, the cleaning element 110 expands bycontaining air between the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b.

Particularly, in this embodiment, the strips 111 e of the cleaning sidesheet 111 c have a relatively smaller width than the strips 111 d of thebase sheet 111 a. Therefore, the volume of the fiber assembly 111 b canbe increased without causing a problem that the strips 111 e impairelasticity of the fiber assembly 111 b. Thus, the users can gain higherexpectations and peace of mind with respect to the dust trappingfunction. Further, by forming the fiber assembly 111 b by using crimpedfibers as mentioned above, the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b can beeasily entangled with the strips 111 e of the cleaning side sheet 111 c.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b aremixed with the strips 111 e of the cleaning side sheet 111 c and themain cleaning part 111 f of the fiber assembly 111 b is increased involume, so that the fiber assembly 111 b expands three-dimensionally. Byexpansion of the main cleaning part 111 f formed between the front andrear auxiliary cleaning parts 111 g in the cleaning element 110, themain cleaning part 111 f can more easily conform to (or make closecontact with) irregular or curved surfaces of the object to be cleaned.At this time, the fibers of the fiber assembly 111 b which are mixedwith the strips 111 e of the cleaning side sheet 111 c perform acleaning function in cooperation with the strips 111 e.

Particularly, the fiber assembly 111 b serves as a core of a dirtcollecting function as dirt is entangled between the fibers of the fiberassembly 111 b or on the crimped portions of the fibers. Further, thefiber assembly 111 b is exposed downward from the strips 111 e and thusappears to be increased in volume, which can provide the users withhigher expectations and peace of mind with respect to the dust trappingfunction. The strips 111 e have a dirt collecting function as asupplement to the fiber assembly 111 b serving as a core of the dirtcollecting function. The strips 111 e can easily reach into finerirregularities or curved surfaces of the object to be cleaned and retainthe dust between the strips or on the strip faces, thus performing acleaning function. The strips 111 d of the base sheet 111 a and thestrips 112 a of the holding sheet 112 are not easily affected by themovement of the fiber assembly 111 b and perform a dust wiping-outfunction independently of the movement of the fiber assembly 111 b.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment as describedabove, but rather, may be added to, changed, replaced with alternativesor otherwise modified. For example, the following provisions can be madein application of this embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the distance between the front fusionbonded part 114 and the front end of the cleaning element 110 isdescribed as being equal to the distance between the rear fusion bondedpart 114 and the rear end of the cleaning element 110. However, in thisinvention, the distance between the front fusion bonded part 114 and thefront end of the cleaning element 110 may be different from the distancebetween the rear fusion bonded part 114 and the rear end of the cleaningelement 110.

Further, although, in this embodiment, the fusion bonded parts 114, 116of the cleaning element 110 are described as being formed on the bothsides of the central joining line 113, the fusion bonded parts 114, 116may be formed on either one side of the central joining line 113.

Further, although, in this embodiment, the fusion bonded parts 114 aredescribed as having a circular shape as shown in FIG. 4, it is essentialfor the fusion bonded parts to have at least a bulged portion protrudingtoward the central joining line 113. The shape and the number of thefusion bonded parts can be changed as necessary. For example, the fusionbonded parts may be shaped as shown in FIGS. 11 to 16. Cleaning elements210, 220, 230, 240 250, 260 shown in FIGS. 11 to 16 have substantiallythe same construction as the cleaning element 110 except for the shapeor the number of the first fusion bonded parts.

The cleaning element 210 shown in FIG. 11 has first fusion bonded parts211 having a circular angle of 180°. The cleaning element 220 shown inFIG. 12 has first fusion bonded parts 221 having a solid filled circularshape (joined over the whole circular area). With the first fusionbonded parts 221 having such a shape, the joint area is increased, sothat the bond strength is increased. Further, a powerful appearance canbe obtained, and the position of the holding space can be easilyrecognized by the user.

Further, the cleaning element 230 shown in FIG. 13 has first fusionbonded parts 231 having a configuration of a double circle. With thefirst fusion bonded parts 231 having such a configuration, theappearance can be enhanced, and the bond strength is increased. Thecleaning element 240 shown in FIG. 14 has first fusion bonded parts 241having a combined configuration of a plurality of circles with differentdiameters. With the first fusion bonded parts 241 having such aconfiguration, the appearance can be enhanced, and fine joiningoperation can be performed.

The cleaning elements 250, 260 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 have anincreased number of the fusion bonded parts 114. Particularly, thecleaning element 260 shown in FIG. 16 has an additional fusion bondedpart 114 between the two fusion bonded parts 114 which are provided oneach side in the middle of the cleaning element 110 shown in FIG. 4. Inthis case, two pairs of the adjacent fusion bonded parts 114 areprovided on each side in the middle of the cleaning element. Also inthis construction, like in the cleaning element 110, preferably, thedistance d1 between the adjacent fusion bonded parts 114 is longer thanthe distance d2 between the front fusion bonded parts 114 and 116 andthe distance d3 between the rear fusion bonded parts 114 and 116.Further, when the first fusion bonded parts are increased in number, allof the first fusion bonded parts may not necessarily be provided on thesame line.

Further, in this embodiment, the fusion bonded parts 116 are describedas being shaped into a combined form of a circle (perfect circle) and anellipse as shown in FIG. 4, it is essential for the fusion bonded partsto have at least an elongated portion extending in the longitudinaldirection. The shape and the number of the fusion bonded parts can bechanged as necessary. For example, the fusion bonded parts may be shapedas shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. Cleaning elements 270, 280, 290 shown inFIGS. 17 to 19 have substantially the same construction as the cleaningelement 110 except for the shape or the number of the second fusionbonded parts.

The cleaning element 270 shown in FIG. 17 has second fusion bonded parts271 having an elliptic shape. The cleaning element 280 shown in FIG. 18has second fusion bonded parts 281 shaped to comprise only a part of anelliptic fusion bonded part. The cleaning element 290 shown in FIG. 19has second fusion bonded parts 291 shaped into a combined form of twocircular fusion bonded parts and elongated in the longitudinaldirection. Also with the second fusion bonded parts 271, 281, 291, likethe fusion bonded parts 116, the operation of inserting the holdingplate 132 can be stabilized. Particularly, with the second fusion bondedparts 291, the joint area is increased, so that the bond strength isincreased.

DESCRIPTION OF NUMERALS

-   100 cleaning tool-   110 cleaning element-   111 cleaning element body-   111 a base sheet-   111 b fiber assembly-   111 c cleaning side sheet-   111 d, 111 e strip-   111 f main cleaning part-   111 g auxiliary cleaning part-   112 holding sheet-   112 a strip-   113 central joining line-   114, 116 fusion bonded part-   115 holding space-   115 a rear open end-   115 b front open end-   117 housing region-   118 upper fiber-   118 a first fiber extending part-   118 b second fiber extending part-   119 lower fiber-   120 cleaning element holder-   130 holder body-   131 base-   132 holding plate-   133 projection-   133 a hollow portion-   134 retaining plate-   140 handle-   141 handle body-   141 a connection

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A cleaning element, comprising: a fiber assemblycomprising a plurality of fibers extending in a predetermined direction,a nonwoven fabric disposed on the fiber assembly, a first fusion bondedpart extending in a cross direction crossing said predetermineddirection to fusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, anda plurality of second fusion bonded parts formed discontinuously in thecross direction at a lateral side of the first fusion bonded part tofusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, wherein saidfirst fusion bonded part extends all the way through the fiber assemblyin a thickness direction of the cleaning element, said plurality ofsecond fusion bonded parts extend through only a part of said fiberassembly in the thickness direction, the fiber assembly includes a firstfiber extending part and a second fiber extending part, the first fiberextending part having fibers each of which extends in said predetermineddirection from one, fixed end at the first fusion bonded part to theother, free end on an end of the cleaning element, and the second fiberextending part having fibers each of which extends in said predetermineddirection from one, fixed end at the second fusion bonded parts to theother, free end on the end of the cleaning element, and a fiber lengthof the second fiber extending part is shorter than a fiber length of thefirst fiber extending part.
 7. The cleaning element as defined in claim6, wherein said fiber assembly is divided into an upper portion and alower portion in the thickness direction by a dividing line, said upperportion includes said first fiber extending part and said second fiberextending part, and said lower portion includes said first fiberextending part without including said second fiber extending part. 8.The cleaning element as defined in claim 6, wherein fibers of the firstfiber extending part have substantially the same fiber length in thepredetermined direction, and fibers of the second fiber extending parthave substantially the same fiber length in the predetermined direction.9. The cleaning element as defined in claim 6, further comprising aplurality of second fusion bonded parts formed discontinuously in thecross direction at the other lateral side of the first fusion bondedpart, wherein the first fusion bonded part extends in the crossdirection in the middle of the cleaning element in said predetermineddirection.
 10. The cleaning element as defined in claim 6, wherein thefirst fusion bonded part extends all the way through the nonwoven fabricand the fiber assembly in the thickness direction.
 11. The cleaningelement as defined in claim 6, wherein fibers of the fiber assembly andfibers of the nonwoven fabric have the same length in the predetermineddirection.
 12. The cleaning element as defined in claim 6, wherein thenonwoven fabric comprises a holding sheet and a base sheet sandwichedbetween the holding sheet and the fiber assembly in the thicknessdirection, and the holding sheet, the base sheet and the fiber assemblyare fusion bonded together at the first fusion bonded part.
 13. Thecleaning element as defined in claim 12, wherein the first fusion bondedpart and at least one of the second fusion bonded parts define a holdingspace between the base sheet and the holding sheet of the nonwovenfabric.
 14. The cleaning element as defined in claim 6, furthercomprising a cleaning side sheet joined with the fiber assembly and thenonwoven fabric by the first fusion bonded part which extends all theway of the cleaning side sheet, the fiber assembly and the nonwovenfabric in the thickness direction.
 15. The cleaning element as definedin claim 14, wherein the fiber assembly is sandwiched between thecleaning side sheet and the nonwoven fabric.
 16. The cleaning element asdefined in claim 6, wherein each of the second fusion bonded parts inthe middle of the cleaning element is closer to the first fusion bondedpart than to the respective end of the cleaning element in thepredetermined direction.
 17. A cleaning tool, comprising: a cleaningelement; and a cleaning element holder having a grip to be held by auser for a cleaning operation, and a holding portion coupled to thegrip, wherein the cleaning element holding portion of the cleaningelement holder is removably attachable to the cleaning element, and thecleaning element includes a fiber assembly comprising a plurality offibers extending in a predetermined direction, a nonwoven fabricdisposed on the fiber assembly, a first fusion bonded part extending ina cross direction crossing said predetermined direction to fusion bondthe fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of secondfusion bonded parts formed discontinuously in the cross direction at alateral side of the first fusion bonded part to fusion bond the fiberassembly and the nonwoven fabric, wherein said first fusion bonded partextends all the way through the fiber assembly in a thickness directionof the cleaning element, said plurality of second fusion bonded partsextend through only a part of said fiber assembly in the thicknessdirection, the fiber assembly includes a first fiber extending part anda second fiber extending part, the first fiber extending part havingfibers each of which extends in said predetermined direction from one,fixed end at the first fusion bonded part to the other, free end on anend of the cleaning element, and the second fiber extending part havingfibers each of which extends in said predetermined direction from one,fixed end at the second fusion bonded parts to the other, free end onthe end of the cleaning element, and a fiber length of the second fiberextending part is shorter than a fiber length of the first fiberextending part.